News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

History will be made when an avid hurling fan celebrates his wedding at Croke Park on the weekend after Kilkenny's historic five in a row performance.

Dublin-based barrister Michael Murray who is originally from Ballyragget and is well known in legal circles on the South Eastern Circuit will enjoy a lavish wedding reception at the Hogan Mezzaine Suite at the stadium on September 10. The venue also has a special sporting significance for his bride to be Helen Carpenter who comes for Dublin and is hopeful that her native county will be competing in the All-Ireland football final the weekend after the wedding.

(Source:Kilkenny People)

Laois

LAOIS county councilors earned a staggering 209,065 euro in expenses to attend conferences across the country in just two years, figures released to the Leister Express have shown.

Former Labour councilor Laurence Kavanagh, who was co-opted onto the council following the death of his father, the late Larry Kavanagh - and who did not seek re-election in last summer's local elections - clocked up 7,532.76 euro in 2008 for expenses while attending conferences and 4,446.21 euro the following year, in which he only served for approximately half a term.

The next closest in costs was Cllr John Moran (FG) whose conference expenses came to 7,340.18 euro in 2008 and 4,807.97 euro in 2009.

(Source:Leinster Express)

Leitrim

A historic illuminated address presented by the people of Ballinamore to their parish priest Reverend Patrick Finegan, as he was about to become Bishop of Kilmore in 1910 will be put on public display in Ballinamore Library.

Patrick Finegan was born in 1858 in the parish of Urney and Annagelliff in County Cavan. His parents were James Finegan and Mary O'Reilly of Corlurgan. He did his entire ecclesiastical studies in St. Patrick's, where he was ordained in December 188
He ministered in the parishes of Annagh, Cavan, Knockninny and Templeport.

Fr Finegan served as parish priest of Oughteragh/Ballinamore from 30th October 1908 until 13th August 1910.

Fr. Finegan was held in high esteem by the people of Ballinamore, so much so that he was presented with an elaborate and eloquent address on his departure from the parish to take up his appointment as Bishop of Kilmore. In the address he was praised for his 'piety.

(Source:Leitrim Observer)

Limerick

A cat found strangled with a plastic wrapper and drowned in St Mary's Park is the latest horrific animal death in the worst year on record for animal cruelty in Limerick.

The murdered pet and beloved companion of resident Mary Lillis was discovered by local children in the housing estate and retrieved by James Fogarty, the partner of Mary's daughter Louise.

Mr Fogarty said: "Mary is very upset. She had the cat for nine years, since it was a kitten, and it was given to her by neighbors. There was a crowd of young kids staring at it and I scooped it up in a black bag to dispose of it. What looked like a plastic ice pop wrapper, like a Mr Freeze wrapper, was tied very tight around its neck and it had blood coming out of its eyes."

Chairperson of Limerick Animal Welfare, Marion Fitzgibbon, who first learned of the case last week said it was "terribly sad" and called for a full Garda investigation into the incident.

(Source:Limerick Leader)

Longford

Longford County Councilor Frank Kilbride spoke this week of his angst as one of his companies was placed in receivership with a debt of almost €3m hanging over it.

The politician/businessman exclusively told the Leader he is working 18 hour days just to keep his other businesses afloat because of the pressure the banks are putting on him.

The issue has also taken its toll on his health. Relentless phone calls and a series of warning letters from his main creditor, ACC Bank has resulted in Mr Kilbride facing a series of sleepless nights ahead of a major heart operation in October.

(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

An investigation has been launched after a vicious assault that left a young GAA referee in hospital.

Donal Gallagher was the victim of a serious attack by a spectator following the under-16s Division 3 championship final in which Milford beat Liffordside Naomh Padraig in Convoy.

The incident comes in the wake of an attack on a Tyrone official by irate Louth supporters in Croke Park after the Leinster final.
Columnist with the Irish Independent Eugene McGee says it raises serious questions about violence in the sport.

"Very depressing because it happens regularly now in the GAA" he said.

"Well thankfully at least they are being publicized because many a time in the past these things were pushed...under the carpet".
"This is typical of this horrible malaise in the GAA which doesn't happen too often but when it does happen its devastating" he added.